Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Receive my cordial regards and best
wishes for this year’s Christmas!
Christmas is one of the most important
festive seasons in the Christian calendar.
It is in this season we celebrate the birth
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
However, it should not be taken only as a
time of celebration and historical
remembrance but also as a time of
reflection, taking time to review how far
the message and values that Jesus
proposes to us: Life, love, peace, justice,
human rights and universal brotherhood;
has influenced our lives to the benefits of
humanity and the entire creation.
Jesus told his disciple and followers,” I
have come so that they may have life and
have life to the fullness” (Jon 10:10). It is
the responsibility of every Christian to
support all that contributes to a better quality of life. We are to strive in building our lives not only at the
personal level, but also at the social level. Let’s have a look at some of the incidents that have affected life
adversely during the year and will also have an influence in the coming year. Its important that we ask
ourselves whether we are sufficiently contributing to the building of God’s kingdom or not!
1. – Promoting Respect of Life
In this year, we have witnessed and experienced almost throughout the world the economic crisis which
began in USA and now affecting many countries that belongs to the Euro zone as well as other parts of the
world. It would be worthwhile recalling our debates and discussions in Atyra during the world assembly:
“Less is more”. The consequences of the near collapse of the current economic system based on avid
consumerism and uncontrolled quest for financial gains without ethics have left so many countries and
families affected. In the zones of Andes, mining industries continue exploiting the zones without
considering the interesting of communities that live there. Earthquakes and floods have affected many
families in Asia. One cannot also forget the effect of the hurricanes, death from AIDS and HIV virus,
hunger, refugees and civil wars in parts of Africa all makes us recall that Jesus was born in a manger and
had to flee to save his life at a tender age. (Mt.2.14). Speaking on final judgment, Jesus says;” I was sick
you came to visit me, I was hungry you gave me to eat… when you did that to the least of my brothers, that
you did to me” (Mt. 25. 36.40). Treating one another with respect, attending to basic needs like health and
education, housing, and employment is the best gift we can give to our brothers and sisters in need.
2. Natural Catastrophes
In different parts of the world, we knew that natural catastrophes such as earthquakes tsunamis, floods or
floods, hurricanes or global warming takes place, with all the consequences of destruction, of loss of
human lives, wildlife and flora. Recently in Durban, in South Africa, a Summit took place to review the
Kyoto protocol. The principal leaders of the world, organizations, UN agencies and representatives of the
civil society were present, to try to find solutions and agreements to brake the ecological and irreversible
damages. But it seems that the results were really poor for the interests of people who really worries for
the nature. As Christians we cannot remain indifferent facing this reality.
3. – Justice, Peace and Human rights.
During the liturgical celebrations of advent and preparing for Christmas, we listen the prophets like Isaiah’s,
Jeremiah’s proclaim the imminent coming of the Messiah who will hear the prayers of the oppressed and
fight for the defenseless: Prophet Jeremiah sums up the desires of the oppressed in these words: “Behold,
the days are coming when I will rise up a righteous shoot to David, as king he will govern wisely,
he shall do what is just and right in the land…..Israel shall live in peace” (Jr. 23. 5-6).
This remains always an utopia to arrive to these ideals, but this is our responsibility to put them in practice
in our families, in our work places while following the teachings of our Master Jesus Christ.
We need to be worried and disturbed by the absence of those values in our modern society dominated by a
mentality of a mercantile consumer culture. In many places we find associations, groups and organizations
members of FIMARC working always fighting for justice and respect of human rights for all. There are
zones where social movements especially among the rural farmers (Campesinos and Indigenous people)
are seen as criminals and threatens those who look for the common good and try to prevent the injustice
projects which damage the environment without taking account of the good use of the land and natural
resources. The benefits of Mother Earth are meant for all and not for a selected few. The Church has an
obligation to accompany the process of fight for justice, peace and integrity of creation. The Church cannot
be absent in the social struggle, her maternal guidance is necessary for the ethical orientation of the action
of the political class as well as forming the conscious of the Christians towards participation of all the
citizens in matters that affect their well being, solidarity economy, as well as in development which is
integral and sustainable.
If we are Christians truly speaking, and not Christians by labels, we would endeavour to propagate this
message, or the Good News of the birth of Child Jesus! God made man. This way little by little start with
the environments where we have some responsibilities. We, all have the right to live a quality life.
4.- Meeting and Knowing Jesus Christ
Christmas is the presence of God –with-us. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. It is the true
light that lights every human person… but he came to his own, but they did not receive him” (Jn. 1. 14. 9-
12). Jesus Christ is the best gift that God our Father has given us. Through his teaching, he lights up our
path with wisdom, truth, knowledge of God and through Him reach sainthood and salvation. Knowing Jesus
Christ is the best gift one can ever receive and having encountered Him, is the best experience one can
ever imagine and making Him known to others through our testimony of life, words and actions is the
sublime joy and responsibility we could ever experience as Christians. But all that had its humble origins in
the manger of Bethlehem and the unconditional “Yes” of Virgin Mary!
All of us, the members of FIMARC, it should disturb us and worry us a bit the great religious
indifference many communities experience today. Today in many countries one gives more importance
to issues such as social matters, sports, politics, and economic more than religious matters. In this manner,
one abandon God and his message of love, peace, justice and human rights and fall prey to false prophets,
idolatry; blindly following the leaders that only serve to divide communities, nations and countries. Every
day one notes that the number of Christians committed in assuming the task of taking active part in
celebrations and other pastoral activities is decreasing.
Christmas season is a time of review of our Christian life as well as our belonging to the catholic
Church. It’s obvious that if we wish to lead a full Christian life, we cannot succeed unless we have a
personal encounter with Jesus Christ and let us be touched by the Holy Spirit! That way we can re-discover
the joy of our own vocation of being disciple of Jesus Christ. Christmas is the time of showing solidarity with
others: the Child Jesus is not only to be found in the manger in Bethlehem, He is present in every street
where we meet a needy brother or sister. The Child Jesus invites all of us to be the agents of peace, justice
and inclusion.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2012.
Padre Pascual Kinoti, svd.
Chaplain ,FIMARC
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